Planning and consultation process

Part of Powerlink’s role is to plan and review the future of Queensland’s electricity transmission network so it meets forecast electricity demands.

Every year, we review the transmission network to assess its ability to meet forecast electricity needs for the next 10 years. This review helps us ensure that existing network assets are assessed for their enduring network requirements in a manner that is economic, safe and reliable as well as identifying solutions to meet increases in
electricity demand, well in advance of when action is needed.

We publish the findings of this review in our Transmission Annual Planning Report (TAPR), which is a technical document that outlines where we’ve identified the potential future need for asset reinvestment (replacement) or network augmentation. In the TAPR, and all of our planning documents, when we refer to a ‘network augmentation’ we’re talking about a solution that will increase the ability of the electricity network to carry more electricity.

All potential solutions to replace network assets or help increase the capacity of Queensland’s high voltage transmission network that are over a certain threshold, (currently $6 million) must be tested using the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) developed by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to ensure the recommended solution will have maximum net economic benefits.
Transmission network, distribution network or non-network alternatives (such
as demand management or local generation) are considered as options for both
reinvestment and augmentation needs.

The Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) applies to transmission augmentation investment consultations initiated from 1 August 2010 onwards and more recently, for network asset replacements, from 18 September
2017. Read more about the RIT-T consultation process.